microrobert
07-08-2012, 08:58 PM
Animal Mating Rituals: Cuttlefish Display Both Male And Female Body Patterns
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/674416/thumbs/r-ANIMAL-MATING-RITUALS-CUTTLEFISH-large570.jpg
A male cuttlefish (right) displays male patterns on the side of his body facing a potential female mate. On the left side he wears a mottled pattern typical of females, an attempt to fool rival males into thinking he's not a threat.
Squid-like cuttlefish are known for their amazing camouflage abilities, thanks to specialized skin cells that allow them to change color in the blink of an eye. Now research finds that these clever mollusks use their color-changing abilities in creative ways: by pretending to be the other gender.
Well, half-pretending, that is.
Animal Mating Rituals: Cuttlefish Display Both Male And Female Body Patterns (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/animal-mating-rituals-cuttlefish-gender-switch_n_1651325.html)
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/674416/thumbs/r-ANIMAL-MATING-RITUALS-CUTTLEFISH-large570.jpg
A male cuttlefish (right) displays male patterns on the side of his body facing a potential female mate. On the left side he wears a mottled pattern typical of females, an attempt to fool rival males into thinking he's not a threat.
Squid-like cuttlefish are known for their amazing camouflage abilities, thanks to specialized skin cells that allow them to change color in the blink of an eye. Now research finds that these clever mollusks use their color-changing abilities in creative ways: by pretending to be the other gender.
Well, half-pretending, that is.
Animal Mating Rituals: Cuttlefish Display Both Male And Female Body Patterns (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/animal-mating-rituals-cuttlefish-gender-switch_n_1651325.html)